Jimmy hits the fans

Manny being Manny? Forget that. We’re dealing with another case of Jimmy being Jimmy.

I speak of the reigning National League MVP, Phillies shortstop Jimmy Rollins.

It has not been the follow-up to his sterling season from last year that Rollins, the team or the fans envisioned.

First Rollins tweaked an ankle and had to miss several weeks at the start of the season. Then there was his failure to run out a pop up. That earned him a hook midway in a ballgame and a seat on the pine. He was apologetic afterward.

Then came his late arrival at Shea for an early game against the Mets. Manager Charlie Manuel benched him. But this time Rollins made it clear he did not agree.

All this came while Rollins was having a clearly sub-par year.

Last night for some reason Rollins decided to put a little icing on this lousy cake, and in the process smeared it in the fans’ faces.

Rollins and slugger Ryan Howard made an appearance on the “Best Damn Sports Show Period.” Eventually the talk turned to playing in Philly.

The hosts kind of goaded the players into talking about how tough it is to play in Philly. Rollins took it from there.

He thinks we’re front-runners.

I am not making this up.

The team is shattering attendance marks, on course to see 3 million people walk through the turnstiles. Every night it seems another 45,000 pack Citizens Bank Park.

But we’re front-runners. At least according to our star shortstop.

I’m not sure what’s happened to Jimmy Rollins. Maybe he’s just full of himself and his MVP status.

But his play this year has not been anything approaching an MVP level.

Maybe Rollins, the guy who last year boasted that the Phils were the team to beat, then backed it up with his play on the field, is looking for a ticket out of town. Maybe he wants to return to his home in Oakland.

I agree and am with you completely. I was in shock as I watched J Roll essentially digging his own grave in Philly. Could he have chosen a better time to express his feelings? Yeah. Could he have chose a worse word to describe Philadelphia fans? Absolutely not! Never in my life have I seen the Phils in the championship, yet I am one of the most die-hard fans I know. Game after game is being sold out, and fan attendance has never been a problem for the Phillies, even in rough years. We boo because we care. When a player is giving us less than we believe he is capable of, we let him know we deserve better. Sorry if that hurts your feelings Jimmy. I'm sure we'll all be ready to apologize to you when you return to Citizens Bank Park...

About Me

Phil Heron has been editor of the Delaware County Daily Times and Delcotimes.com since 1999 and worked in the newspaper racket since 1978. He uses this site to turn back the curtain a bit on the great mystery involved in creating a newspaper and website every day, and his other general thoughts on life and the news.